Down Goes the Dollar

This week Americans were greeted by bleak-sounding news: the dollar is weaker than many can recall against currecnies around the world. One story showed Americans in Great Britain where their dollars were worth half their value in the States and visitors from Great Britain enjoying the bargains available on this side of the pond. The Canadian dollar was trading equal to the U.S. dollar, which means those Canadian quarters are worth their face value at Wal-mart.

Economists and businesspersons have cited several benefits to the fall of the dollar. Among them are the affordability of American goods overseas. Europeans (as demonstrated earlier) can buy our products stateside and off their own shelves. People worldwide seem to appreciate the more level playing field the downturn has brought.

Back home the situation is sobering. We recall the thirties, when banks ran out of money and people fell on hard times. During the Great Depression people were out of work, families went hungry, business collapsed, and suicide rates went up. Following the Roaring Twenties, the thirties were a time of cutting back and being frugal.

The economy goes through ups and downs. Sometimes ours is stronger, other times our neighbors are more prosperous. For many Americans already living paycheck-to-paycheck, an economic downturn just means cinching up our belts a little more. Others are at a breaking point and will be overwhelmed. Still others have leveraged their portfolio to make it through the low times fine.

Jesus said, "you will always have the poor among you." Your neighbor (either across town or across the globe) may have less than they need to get by. As a Christian I consider a weak dollar a reminder of and appreciation for the legislators who deemed it prudent to make every piece of American currency read "IN GOD WE TRUST." When Americans rely on ourselves, our employer, or even Uncle Sam for our daily bread, we have turned away from the One who can truly provide for our needs.